A Corsham contingent at Potfest

Here is the 'Black Hole' seat, the piece I made for  Potfest in the Park this year.

  

There were some wonderful pieces of ceramics on the 'Out of this World' theme this year and I am afraid that I was woefully useless at taking photos of them, but it will be well worth having a look when Chris Cox puts the images up on the Potfest in the Park website.

At least I saw her hard at work with the camera.

Most of the weekend was VERY hot and very sunny.

There were a few moments when it was rather wet! 

There were some 'Ahhh' times. 

It is always lovely to meet up with with old friends. Sue and Tim here - Sue was at Corsham (Bath Academy of Art) with me. 

Also at Corsham was Anna Lambert, who was a few years after me.

Eddie Curtis, was in the year above me. 

Alan Foxley, was possibly a decade before me when the College was a specialist art teacher training  establishment. Now there is a dream for today!

Potfest in the Park is a such great show. After all the hard work, it is inspiring and rejuvenating to be lifted up by all you lovely potters. Thanks you for your company, and of course to all those who make the trip to see the show. But most of all thanks to Geoff, Chris and Matthew Cox for all your hard work organising us all.

And thanks also to my special and supportive neighbours, this year I was lucky enough to again be next to Scottish potter Wendy Kershaw.

Flanked by Dumfries and Galloway potters Andrew Adair (here his work on the plinths)

and Andrew Priestman, with his calm and quietly contemplative wood fired stoneware. The perfect antidote to the busyness of my own stand!

Out of this World at 'Potfest in the Park'

Where has time gone since I last wrote my pottery blog? It has been a glorious summer pandemonium mix of manic making, whilst also trying to fit in shopkeeping, sort out commissions, family matters, garden and house maintenance, make music occasionally, whilst all the time keeping one eye on Potfest  in the Park which was looming. Oh, and the small matter of making that Potfest Competition piece. 

This year the theme of the show is ‘Out of this World.' So come along next weekend (Friday, Sat or Sunday) to enjoy a feast of international ceramices in relaxed surroundings, and see what the potters have brought to this hugely open ended brief. 

The last few weeks have been pretty mad really, I've been in the workshop seven days a week and working late into the evenings! With no workshop assistance this year I have been finding it hard to juggle time to follow my creative impulses AND keep up with the practical and, lets face it easier to sell, more functional pots. Well, if I run out of mugs, I run out of mugs. My hands are happy to be throwing less often anyway.

But, I have been having a great, if indulgent time. Last month I used the new beast of an extruder again for a big piece I am working on. I have been dying to make another seat and Potfest is always an excuse.

Putting together such a large object takes a few cups of tea and consideration time.

I used the pulley system to lower the seat into position, which worked remarkably well. With the seat firm enough to hoist up, supported by two strips of wood, it gave me plenty of time to get it into the right position, before letting it squidge onto the slip

I got the work glazed and the kiln on eventually at half eleven last night. Will it or won’t it come out in one piece, look good, disappoint, delight? I shall find out on Monday.